The future of power tariffs - an opportunity, not a hindrance

Power tariffs is here to stay. But instead of seeing them as an extra cost, we should see them as a chance to think smarter about our electricity use. With the right technology and behavior, you can both save money and contribute to a more sustainable electricity system.

Why is everyone talking about power tariffs?

Power tariffs mean that the cost of electricity is based not only on how much energy you use, but also on how high your power load is during certain hours. This means that if many people charge their electric cars at the same time during the busiest hours of the day, costs could skyrocket.

This is not just a technical issue -- it's a behavioral challenge.

Behavior is the new bottleneck

Despite the fact that the charging infrastructure is in place, it is our habits that create problems. Here are the biggest challenges:

Anticipation of instant charging‍

Many electric motorists want charging to start immediately when the cable is plugged in. It feels natural — we're used to instant response in a connected world.

Optimal vs. Immediate

‍This instant recharge often occurs during the most expensive hours of the day, which is bad for both the wallet and the mains.

Complex costs

‍Many property owners have yet to understand how impact tariffs affect the cost picture. It's a new and complex dynamic.

The solution: Smart systems

‍Managing this requires systems that automatically optimize charging — without the user having to think about it. Optimization should be invisible.

Calculation example: This is how costs can explode -- and be avoided

We have analyzed real data from over 20,000 charging points with housing associations. Here is a concrete example:

Scenario: BRF with 30 apartments and 15 electric cars

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Peak load charging (at 17)

• Extra power peak: +80 kW
• Annual power charge: 59 082 kr
• Cost per motorist: 579 SEK/month
• Cost per kWh: 3.47 kr

Smart charging (22—07 pm)

• Auxiliary power peak: 0 kW
• Annual power charge: 0 kr
• Cost per motorist: 167 SEK/month
• Cost per kWh: 1.00 kr

Results: Just by shifting the charge to the night, the association can save over 74,000 kr per year — without reducing the amount of charge.

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Why is electric car charging ideal for smart steering?

An electric car is parked for an average of 14 hours, but only needs about 2 hours to fully charge. It provides a large window of time to guide charging to cheaper and less burdened hours. This makes electric car charging the most predictable and flexible load in the electrical system.

1. ‍Smart control — the key to a sustainable electricity system. To cope with electrification and avoid grid collapse or runaway costs, simply installing charging boxes is not enough. We need to use them smarter.‍
2. Smart power control is crucial. To avoid high costs during periods of maximum load.‍
3. Flexible loads as a common resource. Electric vehicle charging is the largest and most predictable flex load that can be controlled to balance the power grid.‍
4. Lower collective power peaks. Through automatic control, we can reduce society's overall power peaks.‍
5. Robust, cost-effective and durable. A more stable electricity system that is economically beneficial and promotes a sustainable future.

Conclusion: Impact tariffs are not an obstacle — they are an opportunity

With smart governance, we can turn a potential cost trap into an economic and environmental gain. For housing associations, businesses and society at large, this is a key to achieving the green transition.

Read all about power tariffs here